There Will be Dragons

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Paradise Lost

In the future there is no want, no war, no disease nor ill-timed death. The world is a paradise—and then, in a moment, it ends. The council that controls the Net falls out and goes to war. Everywhere people who have never known a moment of want or pain are left wondering how to survive.

But scattered across the face of the earth are communities which have returned to the natural life of soil and small farm. In the village of Raven's Mill, Edmund Talbot, master smith and unassuming historian, finds that all the problems of the world are falling in his lap. Refugees are flooding in, bandits are roaming the woods, and his former lover and his only daughter struggle through the Fallen landscape. Enemies, new and old, gather like jackals around a wounded lion.

But what the jackals do not know is that while old he may be, this lion is far from death. And hidden in the past is a mystery that has waited until this time to be revealed. You cross Edmund Talbot at your peril, for a smith is not all he once was. . . .

Praise for the Science Fiction of John Ringo

"MARVELOUS!" —David Weber

"Explosive. . . . Fans of strong military SF will appreciate Ringo's lively narrative and flavorful characters. . . . One of the best new practitioners of military SF." —Publishers Weekly

". . . since his imagination, clearly influenced by Kipling and rock and roll, is fertile, and his storytelling skill sound, [When the Devil Dances] is irresistible." —Booklist

". . . fast-paced military sf peopled with three-dimensional characters and spiced with personal drama as well as tactical finesse." —Library Journal

"If Tom Clancy were writing SF, it would read much like John Ringo . . . good reading with solid characterizations—a rare combination." —Philadelphia Weekly Press

"Ringo provides a textbook example of how a novel in the military SF subgenre should be written. . . . Crackerjack storytelling." —Starlog

Really enjoyed this book. Parts of it will drag for readers who aren't military buffs, and the big reveal at the end is a touch predictable, but I'd still recommend it. Looking forward to the next installment. Was this comment helpful?
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2. Vernon on 8/6/2011, said:

I found this story, captivating. I enjoyed the book very much. I think it has a very interesting concept. Future people thrust from a world where anyone can ask for anything and get it. sickness and injury do not matter. Into a medevil faire style lifestyle. Very inventive. I enjoyed this story very much. But then John Ringo is a very talented writer.Was this comment helpful?
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3. J Michael on 8/6/2011, said:

John Ringo's style is like Zane Gray's, details that let you IMAGINE you are there. If you can.
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4. David on 9/16/2010, said:

I felt it was to rushed. Things progressed to quick should have been more backgroundWas this comment helpful?
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Pity--it could have been good.
A few interesting ideas unfortunately combined with failure to explore them or even consistently bear them in mind during world building and plot construction. (For example, with the magical medical nannites available to everybody, you can turn yourself into a unicorn on a whim, but the plot assumes women won't change gender to avoid being coerced into bearing unwanted babies, for example.)
Lumps of awkward exposition, especially near the beginning, are interwoven with a Mary Sue story written for adolescent males, featuring an improably socially adept, improbably sexually attractive, improbably martially skilled teenage boy. There is plenty of 2nd amendment propaganda, but no mention of the 13th, 15th or 19th amendments, which would actually have applied to the situation.
If you are a militaristic fifteen year old boy, you'll probably love it. Otherwise, there are better ways to spend your time.Was this comment helpful?
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7. Peter on 1/11/2008, said:

Tempted to give it a 4, but some parts are just glaring.
I have two main issues with the book. One is the way, particularly in the early stages after "The Fall," that lines from other movies or books is just thrown into every day conversation. Half the time it doesn't even properly fit, be it out of character or just the wrong context for the phrase to be used.
The other problem is the seemingly juvenile obsession with sex in parts of the book. Sometimes, they fit perfectly given how life in the 41st century is portrayed (particularly how sex is almost purely recreational) in the book. At other times, it just seems like the author wanted to throw that in at random.
The last issue is that some things you are obviously supposed to go 'oh snap' or similar at, particularly regarding Edward towards the end, but there wasn't any real basis for you to. Your reaction is more "Okay, I guess that's supposed to be very cool" which is kind of disappointing.
Overall, loved the concept and most of the execution. Personally, I would recommend this to people.
Oh and in regard to poster #2's comments about Herzer, I didn't see that problem really. Considering people avoided him (including his parents) because of his genetic problems it makes sense that he "wouldn't get the girls" as even his 'closest' friend before the Fall avoided him cause of his condition. After that gets fixed yea he has trouble making friends as he was only fixed for a short period then the Fall hits. After the Fall, people who never knew him are the majority of people he knows so his 'condition' was no longer a factor.Was this comment helpful?
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8. Anthony on 12/29/2007, said:

I'm a big fan of "Connecticut Yankee" style stories, and this is no exception. Usually this involves taking a "modern" (or futuristic) man, and somehow placing him in a historic or barbaric setting. I really like the fact Ringo is able to set up this situation with no time travel involved. I liked the character development, and found myself completely wrapped up in Herzer's story. I originally downloaded this from the free library, but rushed down to pick up my own paper copy after only a couple of chapters. I knew I wanted to keep a copy of this one in my library. Was this comment helpful?
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9. Eric on 12/7/2007, said:

I really liked the concept behind this book, but I felt like the execution really left a lot to be desired.
I had a hard time believing in Herzer. The author spends too long making sure we know that Herzer had been helpless until a few weeks before the fall, then suddenly he's better than most everyone at most everything. Ditto the suddenly-getting-the-girls.
I also don't like the amount of 20th century pop culture references. The author goes to a lot of trouble to make sure we know that the people of the 41st century are out of touch with their past, then expects us to swallow "Blazing Saddles" references as part of everyday banter among non-entertainment-history buffs.
So, concept and potential is a great 5, but execution falls very flat, bringing my score down to 3.Was this comment helpful?
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